It is a common warning among many that sharing custody a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups hinder former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow piled on lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for pet content. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
